Holdfast for ropes



June 14, 1932. A. M. ANGus HoLDFAsT FOR RoPEs Filed Jan. 26, 1932 Patented June 14, 1932 UNITED STATES ALEXANDER M. ANGUS, F GROVELAND, MASSACHUSETTS HOLDFAST FOR ROIPES Application filed January 26, 1932.

kMy invention relates to a holdfast for ropes :and particularly to a device of this class adapted to hold and support one end of a clothesline.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of the class described which will be of simple and efficient construction and which can be produced at a minimum cost.

rTo these ends I have provided a holdfast for ropes having the peculiar features of construction and mode of operation set forth in the following description, the several features of the invention being particularly pointed out and defined in the claims at the close thereof.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a holdfast for ropes constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of the holdfast shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the holdfast shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 illustrates a mode of using the holdfast illustrated in Figs. l, 2 and 3.

The embodiment of my invention herewith illustrated is made from a single length of heavy metal wire which is formed adjacent its middle with a single coil convolution which provides an eye adapted to have one end of a rope R passed therethrough as shown in Fig. 4. The leg or length of wire 11 which extends tangentially from one end of the coil convolution 10 is straight and may be threaded as shown in Figs. l and 3 to adapt it to be screwed into a wooden post P, Fig. 4, or this leg 11 may be otherwise adapted to be fastened to any suitable fixture or support.

The other leg of the piece of wire is bent into the U-shape illustrated in Fig. 2 so that it extends around the leg 11 and is provided with an end portion 12 that is disposed perpendicular with respect to the axis of the leg 11 and opposite the coil 10 so that a pocket 13 is provided between the end portion 12 and said coil as shown in Fig. 2. In other words the end portion or leg 12 that is bent around the leg 1l provides a post which co-operates with the coil 10 to provide between the two Serial No. 588,903.

fashion with the holdfast, it is possible to take up the slack in the rope R and to draw the latter taut by pullingupon the rope R with one hand and taking up the slack by pulling upon the free end of the rope with the other hand.

The above described holdfast is particular ly adapted for use in holding the end of a clothesline and it can be manufactured and sold at a very low cost, its particular construction permitting it to be made rapidly and inexpensively by means of automatic machinery. It will be clear that when the holdfast is in use any strain imposed upon the rope R acts to cause the upper portion of the rope that is within the pocket 13 to bite or bind the part of the rope that is beneath it so as to prevent slipping thereby providing a very secure anchorage for one end of the rope R.

Other methods of engaging the rope with the holdfast iixture above described will be apparent, particularly when the device is in use.

Vhat I claim is I vl. A device of the character described made from a single piece of stid wire bent near its middle to form a single coil convolution having a leg extending tangentially therefrom and adapted to be secured to a xture and having another leg extending from the opposite end of said coil which is bent around said first-mentioned leg and has an end portion disposed perpendicular with respect to the axis of said first-mentioned leg and opposite said coil to providea rope-receiving pocket between said last mentioned leg and said coil.

2. A device of the character described constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tangentially disposed leg` is threaded to engage a support.

3. A device of the character described made from a single length of stiff metal Wire bent near its middle to form a single coil that provides a rope-receiving eye, said device being provided with a straight leg extending tangentially from one end of said coil and adapted to be attached to a support and having another leg at the oppositeend of said coil that is bent laterally around said firstmentioned leg to provide an upstandingpost opposite said coil that is at right anglesY to the axis of said first-mentioned leg.

Signed by me at Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts, this 21st day of January, 1932.

ALEXANDER M'. ANGUS; 

